Compare 72/56 and 40/15
1st number: 1 16/56, 2nd number: 2 10/15
72/56 is smaller than 40/15
Steps for comparing fractions
- Find the least common denominator or LCM of the two denominators:
LCM of 56 and 15 is 840
Next, find the equivalent fraction of both fractional numbers with denominator 840 - For the 1st fraction, since 56 × 15 = 840,
72/56 = 72 × 15/56 × 15 = 1080/840 - Likewise, for the 2nd fraction, since 15 × 56 = 840,
40/15 = 40 × 56/15 × 56 = 2240/840 - Since the denominators are now the same, the fraction with the bigger numerator is the greater fraction
- 1080/840 < 2240/840 or 72/56 < 40/15
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